Fruit Collection Research Articles

The Effect of Deforestation on the Economic Activities of the Inhabitants of Abaji Area in Abuja. Nigeria

This research work is aimed at the effects of deforestation on the economic activities of the inhabitants of Abaji area in Abuja. The study employed a mixed research strategy in the collection, analysis and presentation of findings. The tools of data collection include administered questionnaires and participant observation and reconnaissance survey carried out in the study area to gather baseline information which would aid the design of the study. Information accessed during the visit includes the baseline report on problems encountered with deforestation in Abaji area. Personal interview was conducted to some selected individuals living in Abaji area wards such as agricultural officials or extension workers, farmers, household heads, fuel wood seller and people working at the timber sheds. Questionnaires based on socio-economic characteristics of the households were administered. The questionnaire was administered to meet the stated objectives of the study. Six (6) wards were sampled using stratified random sampling technique. In this situation, the Area Council was stratified into North, Central and Southern zones. 140 households were sampled. Out of 300 respondents sampled in this study, 67.3% are male while 32.7% are females. Most respondents interviewed had some form of education indicating that there is generally fairly literacy level among them except for 9% that have no formal education. The result of the study has clearly indicated that the occupation distribution of 51% of the respondents is farming. Apart from farming, other forms of occupation such as driving, tailoring, lumbering and trading constitute 28% of the response obtained. On the other hand, gathering of fuel wood, collection and gathering of medicinal plants, collection of wild fruits and nuts, collection of wild vegetables, and gathering of fodder, marketing of bush meat etc. constitute 22% respectively. By implication, this means that the bulk of the responses are directly involved in activities that cause deforestation. The study recommends that deforestation effects could be ameliorated by promulgation of government policies that regulate the use of forest products, dissemination of information on forest, environmental sustainability issues, and education on aforestation in order to improve and maintain farmlands, since agriculture has been implicated as one of the primary causes of deforestation, there is need to adopt farming systems that encourage conservation tillage. This should include introduction of organic farming method, hydroponics, greenhouse gardens, slash and char rather than slash and bum, as well as alley farming in which crops are interspersed with small trees.

Tritrophic relations and spatial distribution of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Cerrado and Caatinga regions in Piauí, Brazil

Knowledge about the spatial distribution of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and tritrophic interactions (fruit-fruit fly parasitoid) contributes to the monitoring and maintenance of the numerical density at a level lower than economic damage. The purpose of this study was to identify the spatial distribution and associations of fruit flies with their parasitoids and host plants in the municipality of Bom Jesus-PI. The flies were obtained from fruit collection from July 2018 to May 2019. A total of 1,711 individuals were obtained, represented by six species: Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835), An. fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830), An. alveata Stone, 1942, An. sororcula Zucchi, 1979, An. zenildae Zucchi, 1979 and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824). Anastrepha obliqua was the species with the widest distribution throughout the ecotone area. Ceratitis capitata is distributed only in the urban perimeter. A tritrophic relationship occurred between four species of parasitoids, Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck, 1958) or Opius sp. associated with An. obliqua in Spondias mombin or S. tuberosa fruits. Opius sp. has also been associated with An. alveata in Ximenia americana. Pachycrepoideus vindemiae was obtained from C. capitata in Malpighia emarginata, in addition to An. obliqua in Averrhoa carambola. Therefore, fruit flies are associated with native fruit trees (S. tuberosa, S. mombin, S. purpurea, P. acutangulum, Inga laurina, X. americana) and exotic fruits (M. emarginata, A. carambola, P. guajava). Ceratitis capitata was recorded for the first time in the state of Piauí infesting I. laurina (Sw.) Willd. This is the first record of the parasitoid genus Spalangia. in An. obliqua in Piauí and in the semiarid region of Brazil.

Biochemical changes of kemiri sunan [Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw] kernels at eight levels of fruit storage duration

Kemiri Sunan [Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw] fruit harvest is carried out according to physiological maturity, indicated by the fruit’s natural fall from the tree. The fruit collection period can take up to several days according to the processing mill’s minimum capacity. Constraints like this result in fruit collected at an earlier harvest cycle that will undergo a storage process for up to several days. The study was conducted at Pakuwon Experimental Station and Integrated Laboratory, Balittri, Sukabumi, West Java. This study investigates the biochemical changes of Kemiri sunan kernels at eight levels of fruit storage duration. The design used was completely randomized with eight treatments and three replications. The eight treatments were the fruit storage duration: 0 days (without storage) and storage for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 days. The variables observed were the kernel’s moisture, ash, oil, protein, peroxide, and free fatty acids (FFA) content. The results showed that fruit storage decreased moisture and oil content but increased FFA content. Storage of fruit up to a maximum of 8 days does not change the kernels’ biochemistry, indicating that the fruit is still suitable for further processing.

Phenological Characteristics of Chironji (Buchanania lanzan) Fruits at Chotanagpur plateau region

Chironji, Char or Achar (Buchanania lanzan Spreng; family Anacardiaceae) is an important non – wood tree species found in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of India. In central India, it is a common associate of teak, sal and mixed forests. It is a small to moderate sized tree, generally attaining a height up to 18 m and girth 1.5 m. The bark is dark gray or black, regularly divided into small rectangular plates, somewhat resembling a crocodile hide and reddish inside. Chironji is a multipurpose tree and very important plant for rural and tribal economy. It is used for environmental conservation and in Agro-forestry/Agro-horticulture system. It is used as a fuel, fodder (especially for buffaloes), alternative host for Kusmi lac insect, and also used in cosmetic items and soaps. Its wood is very cheap compared to other timbers. The wood is used in making boxes and cheap furniture. It is also suitable for match industry. Its bark contains about 13.4% of tannin. Its gum is soluble in water that exudes from the wounds in the stem and it is used in textile business (Tewari, 1995). Seeds/kernel are nutritional, palatable and used as a substitute of almonds in confectionery. Flowers appear from January to March and their colour is greenish-white. Fruits ripen in the months of May–June (Troup, 1986). The fruit collection starts from mid April and ends by mid June, but its harvesting is generally finished in 15–20 days only. The harvesting period may vary with the purpose of fruit collection in different agro-climatic zones. Early harvesting result into low fruit/seed setting and poor seed germination. In forests, its natural regeneration is very scanty due to unscientific and pre-mature harvesting of its seeds and site degradation on account of growing biotic pressure.

How do meteorological factors alter the phenology of a neotropical tree species?

Background: Neotropical species lack autecological information. Among these, are phenological studies, which help to understand forest dynamics and provide important contributions to the collection, restoration, and conservation programs. This research aimed to characterize the vegetative and reproductive phenological behavior of neotropical species Geoffroea spinosa Jacq. in a seasonally dry tropical forest, as well as to verify if there is a correlation between phenophases and environmental parameters. Twenty individuals were accompanied monthly for two years, to detect and tally the presence of floral buds, flowers, immature fruits, ripe fruits, leaf emergence, presence of mature leaves, and defoliation. A semi-quantitative evaluation was carried out with the Fournier method. Results: The results showed that the population had synchrony of reproductive events, with more than 50% of the individuals blooming and fruiting during the same time interval. Furthermore, the circular statistical test indicated a high seasonality for reproductive events (r ≥ 0.50 and p < 0.001). Among the vegetative events, all were classified as non-seasonal (r < 0.5). G. spinosa, showed a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) for all meteorological variables evaluated. Conclusion: The reproductive phenophases of G. spinosa showed strongly seasonal behavior, unlike vegetative events. the period between mid-February and the end of March was the most propitious for fruit collection. No seasonality was observed for the vegetative events. The species proved to be sensitive to El niño conditions. Follow-up phenological studies associated with meteorological variables are important for a better understanding of the dynamics of vegetative behavior in response to climate change.

Consumo de alimentos pela etnia Paresí, Estado do Mato Grosso: Do beiju com peixe ao refrigerante com coxinha

Among the human activities of subsistence, foraging, implies the combination of collecting plants with fishing activities, hunting and farming practices. In traditional societies, collecting fruits and hunting are part of everyday life, common activities among the indigenous peoples of Brazil. The Paresí people are among the 896.917 thousand Brazilian Indians, inhabiting the Midwest region of the country. The survey took place in some villages of the Indigenous Lands of Paresí people, located at the municipalities of Tangará da Serra and Rosário D' Oeste, Mato Grosso State. The objective was to observe what foods were consumed, the way of collecting and traditional aspects. We used a qualitative approach, participant observation and visits to production sites and obtaining food. The main strategy of obtaining the food is the practice of the burning/shafting cultivation mainly cassava, associated with fruit collection activity, hunting and fishing. The cerrado works as their source of fruits such as mangaba e pequi, and contributes in obtaining protein (meat). Processed foods such as oil, soft drinks, rice, beans and beef and chicken meat, is also part of the diet of indigenous surveyed. Studies on the diet of indigenous peoples are required to observe what are the effects caused by the change in eating habits, associated diseases and fragmentation of the natural environment.

Research of Comprehensive Operation Vehicle for Apple Picking

Aiming at the defects of low mechanization, single function, poor integration of machinery, agronomy and high damage rate in apple picking process, a comprehensive operation equipment for apple picking was developed. Around the standardized apple cultivation mode with dwarf and dense planting, intensive and efficient, the research of multi-link mechanized operation technology method based on the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy is carried out. The structure of apple picking comprehensive operation equipment is designed, including the orchard traffic system, chassis support device, operation platform, platform lifting device, apple collection device, apple conveying system, automatic sorting, bagging device and fruit box rotation platform, which solves the key technical problems of mechanization, such as adaptability of trafficability, extension of operation space and low loss of fruit delivery and fruit collection and placement. The damage of apples is reduced by adopting flexible collection, conveying device and the quality of apples is improved by adopting apple collection, automatic sorting and packing system to realize the second sorting and packing of apples. The design of the device can realize the integrated service of apple from picking to sealing and selling, eliminating the intermediate labour-intensive and time-consuming links, the production efficiency of apples is improved and the production cost is reduced. It laid a foundation for the realization of the whole mechanization of apple production.

Germination of chiltepín with mixed substrates and application of gibberellic acid

The demand for chiltepín is increasing, since in addition to the traditional sale of fresh and dried fruit in the street and regional markets, there is also the commercialization of derived products such as pickles, sauces and dehydrated products in chain stores, the market is supplied by the collection of wild fruits. This has made harvesting intense and aggressive, because collectors cut productive branches or the entire plant in order to harvest a larger quantity, limiting its possibilities for regeneration. Therefore, it is proposed to improve the germination of chiltepín seeds and to evaluate the obtaining of good quality seedlings through substrate mixtures and application of gibberellic acid (AG3) at 400 parts per million (ppm). The results of the research indicate that at seven days treatments 4, 3, 7 and 8 differ significantly from the other treatments, while by day 31 treatments 1, 7 and 8 are significantly different from the others, with a significance of 95%; for the number of roots the best treatment was T1 for the evaluation on day 31 after planting (dds).

Полиморфизм признаков цветка и плода яблони Цуми (Malus zumi (Matsum.) Rehder)

The Tsumi apple tree is a valuable crop due to the presence of a gene for resistance to powdery mildew, abundant annual fruiting and a special decorative effect during flowering and fruiting. Its breeding potential has been little studied; therefore, it is necessary to study the morphometric characteristics of a flower and a fruit and establish connections between them. The collection of flowers and fruits of the Tsumi apple tree was carried out in the laboratory of cultivated plants of the Tsytsin Main Botanical Garden in 2021. The coefficients of variation and correlation according to Spearman were determined. It was found that the polymorphism of flower traits is at a very low level (from 4.4% to 14.2%). The number of flowers per inflorescence varies within 15.9%, which corresponds to the average level of polymorphism, as well as in the weight of the fruit (17.3%) and in the weight of seeds (19.5%). Variations in the length of the peduncle, the number of seeds, the length of the fruit, and the diameter of the fruit are at a very low level (6.9-13.6%). A significant number of reliable inverse (negative) correlations were found between signs of moderate strength (0.5 &lt;r &lt;0.6): a strong relationship between fruit weight and anther length (r = -0.73), fruit length and filament length (r = -0.71). A strong positive relationship was found between the following traits: fruit weight and fruit diameter (r = 0.79), seed weight. Keywords: POLYMORPHISM, FLOWER, CRABAPPLES, SORBOMALUS, MALUS ZUMI, TSUMI APPLE TREE, VARIABILITY, MORPHOLOGY

ACCEPTABILITY OF DEVELOPED YAMBO (SYZYGIUM JAMBOS)FRUIT AS TEA-SUBSTITUTE

This study was conducted to determine the acceptability of developed yambo (Syzygiumjambos) fruit as tea-substitute as evaluated by the taste panelists based on its sensory quality. The researcher harvested ripe fruits of yambo from different barangays of Cavinti, Laguna, along the river side and lake shore. Boiled tea was submitted for microbial analysis to test the safety of the product.This research emphasizes that underutilized fruits like yambo can be developed into other products which serve as an eye opener for its value. This study sought answers to the following questions: (1) Is yambo fruit can be made or developed as tea? (2) Is yambo fruit tea safe to drink by the panelists in terms of microbial present? (3) What are the levels of acceptability of yambo fruit tea-substitute in terms of color, aroma, flavor, consistency and general acceptability? (4) Is there significant difference in the acceptability of developed yambo based on the profile of the panelists? and (5) Is there significant difference in the degree of acceptability of developed yamboas tea-substitute according to its level in grams?Yambo fruit was developed into tea. Experimental method was employed to answer the above stated problems. There are 4 treatments. Each one has variation of tea content per bag but mixed with same amount of sugar. A score- sheet was used to test its acceptability using the five parameters. Yambo fruit tea was prepared by applying the following procedures: collection of yambo fruit, weighing, blanching, cutting, cabinet drying, pin milling, and packaging. Findings of the study disclosed that all the treatments are acceptable but the treatment which has 10 grams of yambo emerged as the most highly acceptable among the taste panelists irrespective of sex and age.Further, the study limits its scope only on the microbial analysis of yambo as fruit tea-substitute. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct further studies on the toxicity level and shelf - life of the tea.

Inventory of Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) at Agrotechno Park The University of Jember

The exploration of the butterfly on The University of Jember has been conducted. The objective of this study is to explore the diversity of butterfly on UPT Agrotechno Park The University of Jember. The research has been done during August to September 2020. Sampling was carried out by scanning methods in the fields with sweeping net. The results revealed the existence of 18 genus with four belonging to the families Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, and Lycaenidae. Moreover 24 species had been identified namely Papilio sp. 1, Papilio sp. 2, Troides sp., Graphium sp., Appias sp., Catopsilia sp., Delias sp. 1, Delias sp. 2, Eurema sp.1, Eurema sp. 2, Leptosia sp., Euthalia sp. 1, Euthlia sp. 2, Dophla sp., Elymnias sp., Euploea sp. 1, Euploea sp. 2, Hypolimnas sp., Junonia sp. 1, Junonia sp 2, Discophora sp., Acraea sp., Zizina sp. dan Lampides sp. Butterflies use plants as host plants and food plants. High host plant diversity is directly proportional to the diversity of butterfly species. The UPT Agrotechnopark Universitas Jember has 1 hectare of land in which there are collections of fruit, vegetable, ornamental, medicinal and food plants. The high diversity of host and forage plants in the UPT Agrotechnopark is a good habitat for butterflies. However, identification to the species taxa are further needed.

Desain Jalur Interpretasi Buah Lokal Koleksi Kebun Raya Purwodadi Sebagai Media Belajar Biologi

Purwodadi Botanical Gardens has a fairly complete, unique and rare collection of local Indonesian fruits. This information is interesting but not widely known by the public, so that dissemination efforts are needed. One of them is developing a more attractive and educative environmental education service design by interpreting local Indonesian fruit as a medium for learning biology. This research aims to develop an educational service design through local fruit interpretation, which leads to the introduction of the Purwodadi Botanical Garden collection so that the wider community better knows it. In addition, the output of this research is expected to complement biology learning so that it is more interesting and easily accessible to students. Data collection was carried out using a tracking method to get the coordinates of local fruit points. Documentation and literature studies were carried out for further discussion. The research results in mapping fruits that cover various local collection points in the Purwodadi Botanical Gardens

Analysis of ‘Marrakesh limetta’ (Citrus × limon var. limetta (Risso) Ollitrault, Curk & R.Krueger) horticultural history and relationships with limes and lemons

Citrus (Rutaceae) species have a relevant role in the culture of the Mediterranean countries, not only for their gastronomic or medicinal value, but especially for their ornamental and symbolic importance. The interest on Citrus diversity led to collect and cultivate numerous cultivars around the Mediterranean Sea, at least since the Roman period. Their image is documented in mosaics, paintings, sculptures and coins since the first millennium BC. Among these, sweet and sour limettas Citrus × limon var. limetta (Risso) Ollitrault, Curk & R.Krueger stand for their history and conservation status. Presently sour limetta is cultivated in Morocco, especially in Marrakesh, and in the Valle de Ricote (Murcia, Spain). Our work has three main objectives: to characterize sour limetta on the basis of Spanish and Moroccan populations, as well as its cultural relevance throughout history, especially in painting, gastronomy, agriculture and gardening, to determine their relationships with limes and lemons and to evaluate the availability and state of conservation of that legacy.We analyze and illustrate the morphology of the plant, flowers and fruits of sour limetta and their differences with other related citrus species and cultivars: sweet limetta, lemon, common lime, Persian lime, bergamot, mellarosa, Meyer lemon, rough lemon, Pursha Romana lime, Palestine sweet lime, Pomum Adami lemon and Rangpur lime. The above species and cultivars were selected on the base of their known ancestry and pomological characters. The distinctive characters are useful for the identification of sour limetta in the field but also for the identifying images of this plant in paintings. We analyzed the ancestry of the different taxa involved and compared the classification based on phenotypes with the classification based on the proportion of ancestors’ genomes in each individual taxa. The image of sour limetta appears in different paintings, from the van Eyck's Ghent Polyptych (early 15th century), and numerous still life works by Italian and Spanish authors of the 16th to 18th centuries. A peculiar type of evidence is provided by presence of limetta in the pictorial catalogues of the Medici's fruit collections displayed in a series of paintings by Bartolomeo Bimbi.This distinctly sour limetta is sold in the markets of Rabat (and other cities of Morocco), either fresh, candied or brined and canned. It is an important ingredient of traditional Moroccan cuisine. Although sour lime was a widely used ingredient in Italian cuisine during the 17th century, its state of preservation is deplorable outside of Morocco, and even there it is gradually replaced by lemons. We recommend its cultivation as a resource both for obtaining rootstocks as well as for its fruits, both for Moroccan cuisine and that of other parts of the world for the excellent aromas and flavors that they contribute to the dishes. In this way, by promoting its crop, we will prevent it from disappearing. It is also important to preserve sour lime in germplasm banks.

The effect of plastic low tunnels on natural enemies and pollinators in New York strawberry

Although growing strawberries under low tunnels is increasing in popularity across the northeastern United States, little is known of how they impact the presence of natural enemies and pollinators that provide key ecosystem services on strawberry. We employed passive (fruit collections, sticky cards and pitfall traps) and direct (direct observations, leaf brushing and fruit bagging) monitoring over 2–3 growing seasons to compare the abundance and impact of beneficial insects and mites on strawberry grown under low tunnels versus the open field. Three different low tunnel plastics ranging in UV-selectivity were included to determine any effect of UV exclusion on natural enemy and pollinator presence. Plant yield and fruit marketability was higher under low tunnels compared to the open field for two of three years observed. The abundance of predators, and to a lesser extent parasitoids, was similar or higher under low tunnels compared to the open field. However, catch on sticky cards revealed lower densities of parasitoids under tunnels. There was some evidence that UV-selecting plastics resulted in poorly pollinated fruit compared to UV-transmitting and open-field treatments. However, there was no difference in pollinator presence among treatments, so the mechanisms causing the plastic effect are unclear. Overall, we conclude that growing strawberries under low tunnels, regardless of UV selectively, can support higher and more marketable yield in some years while likely having neutral to positive impacts on beneficial predators, parasitoids and pollinators.

Fruit tree leaves as valuable new source of tocopherol and tocotrienol compounds.

Nowadays it is highly important to find new, cheap and widely available sources of tocopherol and tocotrienol compounds, and leaves are promising unconventional sources. The main goal of this study was to extend the currently limited knowledge concerning tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers composition determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection analysis for various fruit tree leaves such as apple, pear, quince, apricot, peach, plum, sour cherry and sweet cherry. The leaves were collected 2 weeks after tree blooming and after fruit collection. Tocopherol and tocotrienol isomers were identified and quantified for the first time in all fruit tree leaves. The total tocopherol content ranged from 203.34 to 260.86 μg g-1 dry weight for spring leaves and from 23.83 to 235.62 μg g-1 dry weight for autumn leaves and consisted mainly of α-tocopherol. The rest of the isomers of tocopherol and tocotrienols were also found, but in trace amounts. A significantly lower content of tocopherols and tocotrienols was detected in leaves after autumn collection of fruits compared to leaves collected after blooming. Among the analyzed leaves, time collected and species were significantly more important than their cultivars. Regarding quantification analysis, apricot > peach > > plums > apples leaves were identified as the best sources of tocopherols, and sweet and sour cherry leaves exhibited a lower content. Fruit tree leaves are a novel significant source and good material for isolation of α-tocopherol for application in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or in the food industry - for example, production of beverages or other functional foods. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The application of drip irrigation for the hydroponic cultivation of paprika (capsicum annum var. Grossum) at P4S Total Cantigi Farm

Paprika is a major horticultural commodity with high cultivating potentials, due to excess demand from both within and outside the country. Currently, farmers are unable to meet the existing market needs, because of limited planting and production. Therefore, extensive efforts are necessary to enhance the yield, including the use of hydroponic cultivation technique. The purpose of this study is to provide comprehensive information on the hydroponic cultivation of paprika, using a drip irrigation system. The information collection was carried out at the Agricultural and Rural Self-Help Training Center (P4S) of Total Cantigi Farm, Garut Regency, West Java, served as the research location. Meanwhile, data collection from interviews, mini-seminars, direct field observations, and literature studies was conducted between February 1st-28th, 2021 at the Agricultural and Rural Self-Help Training Center (P4S), situated in similar site. The results showed the processes of paprika cultivation, including seeding, planting, caring (watering, fertilization, embroidery, rope installation, twisting, wiping, branch selection, fruit collection, pesticide application and disease control), harvest, and post-harvest activities.

Physicochemical characterization and dietary fiber of 15 Nance (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) fruits selections from Nayarit

Nance (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) is found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. In Nayarit, Mexico, nance is mainly propagated by seed, so the fruit production comes from backyard trees. Therefore, it is extremely important to study the characteristics of nance fruits, and to propose selections that allow contributing to its genetic improvement. The objective of this investigation was to analyze the physico-chemical characteristics and dietary fiber of 15 nance (Byrsonima crassifolia L.) fruits selections cultivated in Nayarit. The fruit collection was obtained from the Germplasm Bank of the Autonomous University of Nayarit. The variables evaluated were: fresh mass, length and equatorial diameter, color, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pulp pH, dry mass of the seed and content of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber (SDF, IDF). The results of this investigation showed that the fruits weighed from 2.3 to 8 g, with lengths from 14.5 to 22.8 mm and diameter from 15.6 to 23.7 mm (elongated and cylindrical shape), yellow color (> 98%), TSS content of 5.4 at 11.9 with a TA of 0.29 to 2.76%, pulp pH from 3.07 to 4.40, whose TSS/TA ratio was from 3.7 to 40.1, which allowed classifying them by flavor (sweet, sour, bittersweet), the weight of the seed represented from 4 to 10%, being the pulp the edible part (89 to 95%) of the total weight of the fruit. The SDF content was from 8 to 11%, while the IDF content was from 15 to 31.82, concluding that the selections that stood out for their physicochemical and dietary fiber characteristics are UAA1, UAA6, UAAA7 and UAA15, which can contribute to genetic improvement.

Quantification of muscles activations and joints range of motions during oil palm fresh fruit bunch harvesting and loose fruit collection

Although global demand for palm oil has been increasing, most activities in the oil palm plantations still rely heavily on manual labour, which includes fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting and loose fruit (LF) collection. As a result, harvesters and/or collectors face ergonomic risks resulting in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) due to awkward, extreme and repetitive posture during their daily work routines. Traditionally, indirect approaches were adopted to assess these risks using a survey or manual visual observations. In this study, a direct measurement approach was performed using Inertial Measurement Units, and surface Electromyography sensors. The instruments were attached to different body parts of the plantation workers to quantify their muscle activities and assess the ergonomics risks during FFB harvesting and LF collection. The results revealed that the workers generally displayed poor and discomfort posture in both activities. Biceps, multifidus and longissimus muscles were found to be heavily used during FFB harvesting. Longissimus, iliocostalis, and multifidus muscles were the most used muscles during LF collection. These findings can be beneficial in the design of various assistive tools which could improve workers' posture, reduce the risk of injury and MSD, and potentially improve their overall productivity and quality of life.

THEORETICAL STUDY FOR REDESIGN OF AN AGRICULTURAL PACKAGE APPLYING ECODESIGN STRATEGIES AND CAD/CAE TOOLS

Plastic waste derived from the packaging industry currently represents an important environmental problem. Therefore, it is necessary for product designers and engineers to become aware of this fact and seek to incorporate the environmental vector when designing, redesigning, and developing containers and packaging, so that they are more sustainable and eco-effectiveness. Starting from this premise, the following objectives have been proposed in this work: (1) study and identification of possible Ecodesign strategies to apply to an existing agricultural package (model used in the collection and distribution of fruit and vegetable products); (2) to propose a redesign of the package studied, applying the information and knowledge obtained previously; (3) comparative analysis between the existing (commercial) package and the redesign proposal developed. In order to respond to this approach, work has been carried out with CAD/CAE tools (SolidWorks 3D CADTM software). The results obtained from the case study developed in this work indicate that the application of CAD/CAE tools supported by the proposed Ecodesign strategies can be a very useful and effective instrument in the design and development of this type of packaging, for practical application in the agro-food and packaging industry, which can facilitate in the short to medium term the transition to a circular economy model, based on the "Cradle to Cradle" concept.

АДАПТИВНІСТЬ ТА УРОЖАЙНІСТЬ СОРТІВ ПОМІДОРА ДО УМОВ ЛІСОСТЕПУ УКРАЇНИ

The expansion of the assortment of vegetable plants allows to increase the variety and production of domestic vegetable products, in particular, tomatoes. The article examines and proves the research results that the variety significantly affects the formation of tomato productivity and can minimize the negative impact of environmental factors. Experimental studies were carried out in 2018–2020. On the experimental field of the Uman NUS and was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. The main research methods are used in the work: analysis and comparison, experimental, calculated. We studied tomato varieties of Ukrainian selection Lagidny (control), Anita, Aisan, Vulkan, Geyser, Daruna, Classic, Lyubimy, Mirolyubovsky, Obereg, Udavchik, Fizuma, Khoriv, Chudo. The study of the nature of the influence of the varietal characteristics of the tomato on the onset of the main phases of growth and development confirmed the different timing of the beginning of flowering and in the variety Mirolyubovsky period began on May 27, in the varieties Obereg, Khoriv, Lagidny - on May 30. The fruits of most varieties reached in the third decade of July, in the Mirolyubovsky variety - on July 24, in the Obereg and Khoriv varieties – on July 29, later than control. Depending on the variety, budding of the first cluster occurred 43–46 days after germination. The shortest growing season was observed in the varieties Lyubimy, Mirolyubovsky, Udavchik, Fizuma – 102–105 days, Anita, Obereg and Chudo – 106, Horev and Lagidny – 107 days. It was found that in terms of the height of the main stem in the seedling phase, most varieties had similar indicators – 33.5–33.7 cm, only in the Mirolyubovsky variety it was the smallest – 29.1 cm. An insignificant increase in the height of the main stem was revealed in the flowering phase of the first cluster and before the start of fruit collection, it was 71.3–71.8 cm in varieties Khoriv and Obereg, Mirolyubovsky – 55.8 cm. Before planting, most varieties had 6 leaves, and in Mirolyubovsky variety – 5. At the beginning of ripening, fruits on plants were counted by 45 leaves in the Oberig variety, 41 – Khoriv, 28 – Mirolyubovsky, which is significantly higher than the control of the Lagidny variety – 37 pcs / plant. The area of leaves on the plant varied depending on the area of the leaf blade and their number. In the seedling phase, the leaf area was 21.9 thousand. m2/ha for the Mirolyubovsky variety, for the Obereg variety – 24.3 thousand. m2/ha, ie had close values with control (21.3 thousand m2/ha). At the time of flowering, this figure increased for the variety Obereg to 52.8 thousand. m2/ha, in the variety Horiv – 52.4 thousand. m2/ha, which was significantly higher than the control – 45.2 thousand. m2/ha. At the beginning of fruit ripening, the leaf area reached 127.3 thousand. m2/ha, Obereg – 129.0, Mirolyubovsky – 125.5 thousand. m2/ha. Comparison of the number of generative organs of plants showed that during the growing season a larger number of brushes was formed on plants of the Horeb variety – 23.1 pieces / plant, which exceeded the control – 20.8 pieces / plant. The highest yields were found in the varieties Vulkan and Khoriv – 63.0 t/ha, as well as Miracle – 62.8 t/ha, which significantly exceeded the control – 56.0 t/ha. The Daruna variety approached this indicator and had a yield of 56.9 t/ha. In varieties Anita and Obereg, the yield was lower than the control by 1.4–1.5 t/ha, in varieties Mirolyubovskiy and Aisan – by 8.3–9.5 t/ha. The variety Oberig had high chemical indicators, the fruits of which accumulated 6.2 % of dry soluble substance versus 5.1 % control Lagidny. The varieties Khoriv and Mirolyubovsky were close to the control in terms of this indicator. In terms of sugar content, varieties Khoriv, Obereg and Mirolyubovsky prevailed – 3.4, 3.9 and 3.8 %, respectively, which is significantly higher than the control. In terms of the amount of vitamin C, the varieties Oberig and Chudo were distinguished, in which a high sugar-acid coefficient was found – 9.4 compared to the control (7.5). In varieties Khoriv and Mirolyubovsky, it was at the level of 5.6 and 5.8, respectively.